Application of infrared Thermography in rabbit orthopaedic models

The rectal or internal temperature (BT) is a reference method for body temperature. BT and ear temperature (BTear) were recorded in rabbit orthopaedic experimental model - White New Zeeland rabbits (N = 14), for a six day post-surgery period. Ear (BTear) temperature measured with infrared thermography (IRT) camera was compared with rectal body temperature (BT) measured with digital thermometer. Each BTear and BT methods were studied by analysis of variance and for BT classes such as: hypothermia (BTh≥ than 38,5оC), normothermia (BTn) and hyperthermia or fever (BTf ≥ 40,0 оC). Mean differences, linear regression and Pearson correlation were analysed. BTear was positively correlated with rectal temperature (BT); r=+0.579 at p <0.001. The regression equation model was statistically acceptable (p<0.001) and value of internal body temperature can be estimated on ITR measurements by relation: BT (оC) = 25.498 + BTear x 0.361 with R2=0.336. This study demonstrates that IRT technology, a passive and non-contact technology can be effectively used for estimating BT changes in rabbits

Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from <i>Abies alba</i> and <i>Pinus sylvestris</i> Bark Extracts: Characterization, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Antibacterial Effects

In recent years, phytofunctionalized AgNPs have attracted great interest due to their remarkable biological activities. In the present study, AgNPs were synthesized using Abies alba and Pinus sylvestris bark extracts. The chemical profile of these bark extracts was analyzed by LC-HRMS/MS. As a first step, the synthesis parameters (pH, AgNO3 concentration, ratio of bark extract and AgNO3, temperature, and reaction time) were optimized. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, DLS, SEM, EDX, and TEM. Their antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antibacterial properties were evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, MTT, and broth microdilution assays, respectively. Abies alba and Pinus sylvestris bark extract-derived AgNPs were well-dispersed, spherical, small (average particle size of 9.92 and 24.49 nm, respectively), stable (zeta potential values of −10.9 and −10.8 mV, respectively), and cytotoxic to A-375 human malignant melanoma cells (IC50 = 2.40 ± 0.21 and 6.02 ± 0.61 μg/mL, respectively). The phytosynthesized AgNPs also showed antioxidant and antibacterial effects

Erratum: Combined fit of spectrum and composition data as measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory

We present a combined fit of a simple astrophysical model of UHECR sources to both the energy spectrum and mass composition data measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory. The fit has been performed for energies above 5 ⋅ 10(18) eV, i.e. the region of the all-particle spectrum above the so-called ankle feature. The astrophysical model we adopted consists of identical sources uniformly distributed in a comoving volume, where nuclei are accelerated through a rigidity-dependent mechanism. The fit results suggest sources characterized by relatively low maximum injection energies, hard spectra and heavy chemical composition. We also show that uncertainties about physical quantities relevant to UHECR propagation and shower development have a non-negligible impact on the fit results

Search for photons with energies above 1018^{18} eV using the hybrid detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

International audienceA search for ultra-high energy photons with energies above 1 EeV is performed using nine years of data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory in hybrid operation mode. An unprecedented separation power between photon and hadron primaries is achieved by combining measurements of the longitudinal air-shower development with the particle content at ground measured by the fluorescence and surface detectors, respectively. Only three photon candidates at energies 1–2 EeV are found, which is compatible with the expected hadron-induced background. Upper limits on the integral flux of ultra-high energy photons of 0.027, 0.009, 0.008, 0.008 and 0.007 km(−)(2) sr(−)(1) yr(−)(1) are derived at 95% C.L. for energy thresholds of 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 EeV. These limits bound the fractions of photons in the all-particle integral flux below 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.33%, 0.85% and 2.7%. For the first time the photon fraction at EeV energies is constrained at the sub-percent level. The improved limits are below the flux of diffuse photons predicted by some astrophysical scenarios for cosmogenic photon production. The new results rule-out the early top-down models − in which ultra-high energy cosmic rays are produced by, e.g., the decay of super-massive particles − and challenge the most recent super-heavy dark matter models